London Vinyl & CDs

Review: Second time around for eccentric Sheffield trio The All Seeing I's sole full-length excursion, 1999's Pickled Eggs & Sherbert, which here lands on vinyl for the first time.The album, a celebration of Steel City creativity featuring cameos from Cocker, Tony Christie, Babybird and the Human League's Phil Oakey, is best remembered for hit singles 'The Beat Goes On', 'Walk Like a Panther' - lyrics reportedly penned by Jarvis Cocker - and 'The First Man in Space', but there are plenty more highlights amongst the unique blends of fractured dancehall rhythms, redlined electronica, oddball easy listening references, experimental d&b rhythms and genuine leftfield pop nous. For proof, check out blissful acapella number 'No Return' (where Lisa Millett plays a starring role), the breathless, bass-heavy house of 'Sweet Music', the weighty madness of 'I Walk' and the exotica-goes-big beat flex of 'Happy Birthday Nicola'.

Review: Echo & The Bunnymen's What Are You Going to Do with Your Life?, their eighth studio album, reflects a more introspective and matured sound from the post-punk icons. Released in 1999, this album marked a departure from their earlier work's grandiose, bass-driven rock, offering a gentler, acoustic-driven atmosphere. Tracks like the title song and 'Rust' highlight Ian McCulloch's soulful vocals, with lush string arrangements and a restrained yet heartfelt delivery. The addition of horn accents on 'Get in the Car' and 'When It Blows Over' brings unexpected warmth, while 'History Chimes' closes the album on a melancholic piano note. The album showcases a thoughtful evolution of their signature sound, offering a reflective soundtrack for both longtime fans and new listeners. This album demonstrates a band comfortable in its musical maturity, resonating with the contemplative themes of aging and legacy.

Review: This new and career spanning album A Beginner's Guide is a 'best of' collection tailored for both new or curious Orbital fans. Whether you discovered the duo after their iconic Glastonbury 2024 performance, during their global tour celebrating the Green & Brown albums, or through a track featured in a film, this collection offers an ideal introduction and recap of what makes them one of the most enduring acts in all of electronic music. It compiles there Hartnoll brothers's biggest hits in their edited forms and album includes utter classics like 'Chime,' 'Belfast,' and 'Halcyon' all of which give a fine a taste of the duo's influential electronic sound, all in one package for the first time ever.